Secret Service tightens White House security on south side

The agency says restrictions will help officers respond to potential hazards, including fence jumpers.

The changes went into effect late Wednesday.

"The Secret Service must continually evaluate security protocols and continually balance the security of our protected persons and facilities with the public's ability to access them", Milhoan said. In a statement, the Secret Service said the sidewalk was closed off permanently to "lessen the possibility of individuals illegally accessing the White House grounds".

The decision was part of an "ongoing comprehensive review" of security measures at the White House and its surrounding grounds, the agency said.

The new restrictions were put in place in 2015 for overnight hours, between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The new restriction moves public view on the south side of the White House about 82ft (25 metres) farther back from where people were previously able to stand.

In the most notable occurrence under President Donald Trump's administration, Jonathan Tuan Tran jumped several fences and remained on the White House grounds for about 15 minutes before being arrested. It's still unclear how he was able to get so close to the White House after jumping the fence and why he was wandering the grounds.

A higher fence has also been approved for the White House, she told WTOP News.

FILE - In this October 3, 2014 file photo, two women lean against a temporary barrier along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington.

The trespasser breached the grounds while the president was in the Washington mansion, managing to climb over an outer perimeter fence, scale a vehicle gate and hop another fence near the southeast corner of the White House's East Wing before he was captured.

Just over a week later, another man jumped the protective bicycle rack barrier at the northern side of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue.